Treats for hospital staff and snacks for labor

passionfruit1234

Hi. Sorry if this has already been discussed. I did do a search and didn't find anything really specific on this for our particular birth month.

Just wondering what you all might be packing food wise for the hospital. I know many of you may not be allowed to eat while in labor. I am lucky that i can at my particular hospital. I thought this thread might help those of u that are allowed to or are perhaps doing a home birth with no restrictions about food.

What i have packed for the labor:

- coconut water

- coconut date rolls

- gummy bears

For after labor (in case i finish and it isn't dinner time - i hear mums are usually starving afterwards!):

- microwave shelf stable (so it doesn't need to be refrigerated) pasta with pesto with a microwave safe container and disposable cutlery.

I was also keen to make something for the midwives at my hospital for the birth. Basically a little treat to say thank you. i know a lot of people out there bake cookies in the earliest stages of labor for this. Problem is where i'm staying i don't have an oven.

So i'm looking for ideas for something nice (and sweet) for them to take. Something i can get the ingredients now for and they won't need refrigerating as i could theoretically go into labor today or in 5 weeks time!

I also don't have access to a food processor or blender (otherwise i would have done bliss balls or something like that).

open to suggestions

feeshah

No food for me. Just Ice Chips.

Check out Pinterest for cute treats for the nurses.

Throw some chocolates into a mason jar, wrap a pretty ribbon around it, attach a Thank You note and call it a day.

Or

Hot chocolate reindeer in a festive Christmas coffee mug.

Pinterest: it's what I do when I'm not on TB.

JRod13

I hear nurses throw out the baked goods. Get something pre-packaged or some little candies or something.

frenchy816

I was going to send someone (likely my mom) out for an Edible Arrangement's for the nurses. (In my experience, they usually appreciate something, but get sick of the sweets.) 

As for me, I'm allowed to bring snacks, so probably some protein filled foods...still working on that. 

Ihope

I would not give home made food items, they most likely will not eat it. I would not eat something home made by a stranger. I will send something ordered though.

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Kmm1023

Slaps said:

I have bought a big bag of fun size chocolates for them!

This is a great idea that I am stealing!

ColeyCannoli

ladythrice said:

I'm not supposed to eat during labor at my hospital but I get nauseous and hangry so I'm going to try and sneak some snacks in. I'm planning on having DH grab some Panera bagels for the nurses on duty the morning after LO comes.

I was told by an L&D nurse to bring honey straws or little chocolates to keep my blood sugar up... she also told me to hide 'em and not talk about it.

I really want to bring a gift to the hospital. I love the idea of fun sized candy. I was going to send DH for a thing of Dunkin Donuts coffee and donuts or something.

colliebabe

I brought Halloweem candy with DD and will bring Christmas candy this time for the nurses/staff.

I brought granola bars last time but didnt end up eating anything during labor. This time I would like to bring something for after the labor just in case it's the middle of the night. I was so hungry after having DD!

drpayne

You might be surprised that you have no desire to eat in labor. Not that you shouldn't be prepared... Just sayin'.

MaineMama

Csection ladies, bring food for yourselves too! My hospital isn't as bad as most (like, they don't make you live on jello until you poop/fart) but they do want you to wait a few hours after surgery before eating anything. Sorry, but I fasted all night AND all morning, I'm gonna eat. So I bring snacks with me.

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Beevol

I could not bring myself to eat the entire time I was in labor (a little over two days) the nurses were trying to push sprite on me to keep my blood sugar up but it was just yuck to me (they eventually gave me a bolus of sugar). So I'll bring granola bars again, and maybe I'll ear them this time?

DH is a stress baker so he made a few dozen cookies. The nurses enjoyed them and I may have eaten like 5 a couple hours after birth when I was suddenly starving.

vrae0606

You ladies are so thoughtful! I never even thought to bring something for the nurses. As for snacks, I don't think my hospital will let me have anything while in labor except ice chips. And my hospital has an awesome snack room for my DH & close family so not worried about taking any food along. Might have to think of something for the nurses...

nolanova85

We're just going to bring a few Lara bars for us.

Last week we went to BJs to stock up our deep freeze in anticipation of LOs arrival and we bought a prepackaged basket they had of different chocolates and treats for the nurses. I had planned to send something afterword, but it hadn't occurred to me to take something with us until a someone in our Bradley class (also a nurse) suggested it.

passionfruit1234

jbc7605 said:

maybe buckeyes for a treat? 

https://www.jif.com/recipes/details/392

they are super yum and don't need an oven or special equipment. now I want one. 

I'll be NPO after midnight before my birth, so no labor snacks for me. 

Great idea! I am not American and had never heard of these before until an American friend of mine one day brought these into work and they were fantastic. 

It was my Hypnobabies course that recommended making something for the midwives and i think it is partly to thank them and partly to provide a simple activity to take my mind off things in early labor. So i'd prefer to make something than buy prepackaged even risking the nurses not eating it (i'll eat some anyway when i make them!)

Yeah i might not want to eat anything during labour, but worse case scenario i'll just have some yummy snacks for afterwards or i know DH would happily chow down on it. At the very least i'm pretty sure coconut water will seem good - been craving the stuff like crazy during this pregnancy!

Thanks for all the ideas everyone!

designchica

feeshah said:

No food for me. Just Ice Chips. Check out Pinterest for cute treats for the nurses. Throw some chocolates into a mason jar, wrap a pretty ribbon around it, attach a Thank You note and call it a day. Or Hot chocolate reindeer in a festive Christmas coffee mug. Pinterest: it's what I do when I'm not on TB.

Like this suggestion of the chocolates in the main jar. Costco has nice chocolate covered fruit in bags for about $12 a bag. Those would be great!